Pack9 ‘Sheparded’ to Comeback Win

Wolfpack Baseball (36-21) has been on a tear of late, winning 15 of their last 18 games. But the comeback win on Saturday night at the Fort Worth Regional might be the most unlikely in that string. And maybe the sweetest. Almost certainly, it was the most important.

A nip and tuck affair all night, both starting pitchers found themselves with early leads. And both found themselves with those leads lost. The Wolfpack had the biggest lead of the night (2 runs at 3-1) but that lasted only a half inning, and it was a 1 run ball game the rest of the way.

With the Pack9 down to their last out and trailing by a run at 4-3, to regional host and #7 national seed TCU, it looked as if the Pack would be playing an early elimination game on Sunday just to stay alive for a chance to have to beat TCU two straight in order to advance.

But JR DH Chance Shepard didn’t like that path. He preferred a straight line approach…to dead centerfield. He took a 1-1 offering downtown for a 2 out 2 RBI blast to nearly straightaway center, scoring pinch runner Tommy DeJuneas ahead of himself and giving the Pack a sudden one run advantage at 5-4.

Travis Orwig, who worked 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, would take the victory for the Pack. But not before opening up the bottom of the 9th by yielding a leadoff double to the Horned Frogs to make things interesting. But a heady play from the JR lefty would essentially erase the leadoff double, as he cleanly fielded a sac bunt attempt and nailed the runner trying to advance to third. Two ground ball outs later, and State was safely still in the winner’s bracket, and with a much easier road to the super regionals.

Starter Brian Brown went 6.1 effective innings, but would take a no decision while giving up 4 runs on 5 hits, while k’ing 8 and walking none.

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The Pack will now await the winner of tomorrow’s elimination game, rather than having to play in it.

TCU and Stony Brook will get things going in Fort Worth tomorrow in an elimination game beginning at 3:30pm eastern. And while the loser of that one goes home, the winner will have to make a quick turnaround and face the Pack at 8pm tomorrow night. If the Pack wins, they advance. If not, the same two teams will tee it up again in primetime on Monday night.

Wolfpack Baseball (36-21) has been on a tear of late, winning 15 of their last 18 games. But the comeback win on Saturday night at the Fort Worth Reg[See the full post at: Pack9 ‘Sheparded’ to Comeback Win]

No posting last night with the tablet hooked to the TV, but it was still a blast, so to speak. Mrs. Texpack was a tad pissed at being awakened to screams of GONE!, but after 27 years she wasn’t surprised.

We still have a tall task ahead. This is especially true if the Frogs can get an 8 inning performance out of their starter today against Stony Brook. While the Aggie loss makes it unlikely I’ll be able to make a Super Regional game next weekend, I’d much rather have the Pack hosting.

A very exciting game last light. I was real proud of how the team kept their emotions in check after that play at home plate though maybe the announcers were making more of it than it was. I did think we got cheated out of one base hit on that play at first but otherwise a decently called game if you discount a few of the ball/strike calls on both teams. I was able to stream it ok but had to refresh many times due to slow internet in the 7 and 8th. Fortunately, I got a strong signal in the 9th and was able to enjoy the great come from behind victory. They were a tough team and I think I’d rather see us face Stony Brook again. Thanks for posted this. Go Pack and congratulations a great win.

Stony Brook would be nice, but regardless, we just gotta win. Certainly would be nice to pull it out Sunday, so a second game is not required. Keep making us proud, if by chance we get eliminated, certainly nothing to hang our heads about. TCU top ten team in the nation. Go Pack!

Winning last night made our path easier, but by no means easy. TCU has one of the best home field advantages in the country.

Before last night, they had won 16 straight at home.
Last night was only their 3rd home loss of the year.
I like our chances better than if we’d lost, but at the very least I’d dearly love to see the early game become a slugfest where the winning club’s bullpen is decimated.

Well coach seemed happy about playing the frogs in an elimination game in front of a loud sometimes obnoxious home crowd. At least that’s what it seemed pitching our highest era kid we have. Oh well, got lucky Sat. night, got blasted last night….what will come of tonight.